Peach tree, &#39;burpeachtwentyone&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree ( Prunus persica ), which is denominated varietally as ‘Burpeachtwentyone’, and which produces an attractively colored yellow-fleshed, clingstone peach which is mature for harvesting approximately July 5 to July 15 under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of central California.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new, novel and distinct variety of peach tree, ‘Prunus persica’, and which has been denominated varietally as ‘Burpeachtwentyone’.

ORIGIN

The present variety of peach tree resulted from an on-going program of fruit and nut tree breeding. The purpose of this program is to improve the commercial quality of deciduous fruit and nut varieties, and rootstocks, by creating and releasing promising selections of prunus, malus and regia species. To this end we make both controlled and hybrid cross pollinations each year in order to produce seedling populations from which improved progenies are evaluated and selected.

The seedling, ‘Burpeachtwentyone’ was originated by us and selected from a population of seedlings growing in our experimental orchards located near Fowler, Calif. The seedlings, grown on their own roots, were derived from open-pollinated seeds of our variety ‘A25.045’. A25.045 (unpatented) was derived from a cross of the yellow-fleshed freestone peach tree ‘Fairtime’ (nonpatented, USDA), which was used as the seed parent; and the ‘Rich Lady’ peach tree, (U.S. Pat. No. 7,290), which was used as the pollen parent. Thereafter seeds from ‘A25.045’ were planted in September of 1997. One seedling which is the present variety, exhibited especially desirable characteristics, and was designated as ‘E25.069’. This seedling was marked for subsequent observation. After the 1999 fruiting season, the new variety of peach tree was selected for advanced evaluation and repropagation.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

Asexual reproduction of this new and distinct variety of peach tree was accomplished by budding the new peach tree to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented). This was performed by us in our experimental orchard which is located near Fowler, Calif. Subsequent evaluations have shown those asexual reproductions run true to the original tree. All characteristics of the original tree, and its fruit, were established, and appear to be transmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

‘Burpeachtwentyone’ is a new and distinct variety of peach tree, which is considered of large size, and which has vigorous growth. This new peach tree is also a regular and productive bearer of relatively large, firm, yellow-fleshed, clingstone fruit which have good flavor and eating qualities. This new tree has a medium chilling requirement of approximately 650 hours, and further produces relatively uniformly sized fruit throughout the tree. In addition to the foregoing, the fruit of the new tree also appears to have good handling and shipping qualities. The ‘Burpeachtwentyone’ peach tree bears fruit which are ripe for commercial harvesting and shipment on approximately July 5 to July 15 under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of central California. In relative comparison with the clingstone peach tree ‘A25.045’, which is the seed parent, the present new variety of peach tree bears fruit which ripen about 10 or more days earlier at the same geographical location. In relative comparison to the freestone peach, Elegant Lady (U.S. Pat. No. 4,399), which is the most similar variety known to the inventors at this time, the present new variety produces clingstone fruit and exhibits very few split pits, whereas the pit of the ‘Elegant Lady’ peach is a freestone and split pits are quite common.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawing, which is provided, is a color photograph of the new peach tree variety. The photograph depicts two whole mature fruit, and one mature fruit dissected substantially in the equatorial plane, and which reveals the flesh and the stone characteristics thereof. The external coloration of the fruit as shown is sufficiently matured for harvesting and shipment. Additionally, the photograph displays a sample vegetative shoot bearing typical leaves, and a typical stone, with the flesh removed. The colors in this photograph are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type. Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual specimen. For this reason, future color references should be made to the color plates (Royal Horticultural Society) and descriptions provided hereinafter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of peach tree, the following has been observed during the sixth fruiting season under the ecological conditions prevailing at orchards which are located near the town of Fowler, county of Fresno, state of Calif. All major color code designations are by reference to the RHS Colour Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain. Common color names are also occasionally used.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Generally. — Considered medium-large as compared to             other common commercial peach cultivars ripening in the late             season of maturity. The tree of the present variety was             pruned to a height of approximately 305.0 cm to about 310.0             cm at maturity.         -   Vigor.—Considered moderately vigorous. The present peach             tree variety grew from about 125.0 cm to about 135.0 cm in             height during the first growing season. The new variety was             pruned to a height of approximately 120.0 cm during the             first dormant season, and primary scaffolds were then             selected for the desired tree structure.         -   Productivity.—Productive. Fruit set varies from about 1.5 to             several times more than the desired crop load. The fruit set             is spaced by thinning to develop the remaining fruit into             the desired market sized fruit. The number of the fruit set             varies with the prevailing climatic conditions, and cultural             practices employed during the bloom period, and is therefore             not distinctive of the variety.         -   Bearer.—Regular. Fruit set has been heavy during the years             of observation, and thinning was necessary during the past 6             years.         -   Form.—Upright, and pruned into a vase shape.         -   Density.—Considered medium dense. It has been discovered             that pruning the branches from the center of the tree to             obtain a resulting vase shape allows for air movement and             appropriate amounts of sunlight to enhance fruit color and             renewal of fruiting wood throughout the tree.         -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in USDA             Hardiness Zone 9. Winter chilling requirements of the new             tree are approximately 700 hours below 7.0 degrees C. The             variety appears to be hardy under typical central San             Joaquin Valley climatic conditions. -   Trunk:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 14.6 cm in diameter when measured at             a distance of approximately 15.24 cm above the soil level.             This measurement was taken at the end of the seventh growing             season.         -   Bark texture.—Considered moderately rough, with numerous             folds of papery scarfskin being present.         -   Lenticels.—Numerous flat, oval lenticels are present. The             lenticels range in size from approximately 4.0 to about 5.0             millimeters in width, and from about 1.0 to about 2.0             millimeters in height.         -   Lenticel color.—Considered an orange brown, (RHS             Greyed-Orange Group N172 D).         -   Bark coloration.—Variable, but it is generally considered to             be a medium grey-brown, (RHS Greyed-Orange Group 175 A). -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium for the variety.         -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other peach varieties. The             branches have a diameter of about 9.7 centimeters when             measured during the fifth year after grafting.         -   Surface texture.—Average, and appearing furrowed on wood             which is several years old.         -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable and             are between about 46 to about 52 degrees when measured from             the horizontal axis. This particular characteristic is not             considered distinctive of the variety, however.         -   Current season shoots.—Surface texture — Substantially             glabrous.         -   Internode length.—Approximately 2.2 to about 2.4 cm.         -   Color of mature branches.—Medium brown, (RHS Greyed-Orange             N167 B).         -   Current seasons shoots.—Color. — Light green, (RHS             Yellow-Green Group 146 C). The color of new shoot tips is             considered a bright and shiny green (RHS Green Group 141 C). -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium large for the species. Leaf             measurements have been taken from vigorous, upright,             current-season growth at approximately mid-shoot.         -   Leaf length.—Approximately 160.0 to about 168.0 millimeters.         -   Leaf width.—Approximately 35.0 to about 40.0 millimeters.         -   Leaf base shape.—Reasonably uniform in margin symmetry             relative to the leaf longitudinal axis.         -   Leaf form.—Lancelolate.         -   Leaf tip form.—Acuminate.         -   Leaf color.—Upper Leaf Surface — Dark green, (approximately             RHS Green Group 139 A).         -   Leaf texture.—Glabrous.         -   Leaf color.—Lower Surface — Medium green, (RHS Yellow-Green             Group 146 A).         -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.         -   Mid-vein.—Color — Light yellow green, (RHS Yellow-Green             Group 150 C).         -   Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating.         -   Form.—Considered finely crenate.         -   Uniformity.—Considered generally uniform.         -   Leaf petioles.—         -   Size.—Considered medium long.         -   Length.—About 6.0 to about 11.0 mm.         -   Diameter.—About 1.5 to about 2.0 mm.         -   Color.—Pale green, (RHS Yellow-Green Group N144 B).         -   Leaf glands.—         -   Size.—Considered small. Approximately 1.0 mm in length, and             about 1.0 mm in height.         -   Number.—Generally one gland per margin side. Occasionally             two glands per margin side.         -   Type.—Reniform.         -   Color.—Considered a dark tan (RHS Grey-Brown Group 199 C).         -   Leaf stipules.—         -   Size.—Medium large for the variety.         -   Number.—Typically 2 per leaf bud and up to 6 per shoot tip.         -   Form.—Lanceolate in form and having a serrated margin.         -   Color.—Green, (RHS Yellow-Green Group 146 D) when young, but             graduating to a brown color, (RHS Greyed-Orange group 166 C)             with advancing senescence. The stipules are considered to be             early deciduous. -   Flowers:     -   -   Flower buds.—Generally — The floral buds, depending upon the             stage of development, are approximately 6.0 millimeters             wide; about 10.0 millimeters long; conic in form; and             slightly appressed relative to the bearing shoot.         -   Flower buds.—Color — This characteristic is dependent upon             the proximity to bloom. The bud scales are deep purple,             (approximately RHS Greyed-Purple Group N186 B). The buds are             considered hardy under typical central San Joaquin Valley             climatic conditions.         -   Hardiness.—No winter injury has been noted during the last             several years of evaluation in the central San Joaquin             Valley. The current variety has not been intentionally             subjected to drought or heat stress, and therefore this             information is not available.         -   Date of first bloom.—Observed on Mar. 1, 2004.         -   Blooming time.—Considered mid-season in relative comparison             to other commercial peach cultivars grown in the central San             Joaquin Valley. The date of full bloom was observed on Mar.             6, 2004. The date of full bloom varies slightly with             climatic conditions and cultural practices.         -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately 10 days. This             characteristic varies slightly with the prevailing climatic             conditions.         -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type             flower.         -   Flower size.—Flower diameter at full bloom is approximately             32.0 to about 36.0 millimeters.         -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant.         -   Flower bud frequency.—Normally 1 to 2 flower buds appear per             node.         -   Petal size.—Generally — Considered medium for the species.         -   Length.—Approximately 15.0 to about 18.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 15.0 to about 16.0 millimeters.         -   Petal form.—Considered ovoid.         -   Petal count.—Nearly always 5.         -   Petal texture.—Glabrous.         -   Petal color.—Light pink, (RHS Red-Purple Group 65 B) to a             medium pink, (RHS Red-Purple Group 73 C).         -   Fragrance.—Slight.         -   Petal claw.—         -   Form.—The claw is considered generally ovoid and has a             medium size when compared to other varieties.         -   Length.—Approximately 6.0 to about 8.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 7.0 to about 9.0 millimeters.         -   Petal margins.—Generally considered variable, from nearly             smooth to slightly ruffled, to moderately undulate to             ruffled.         -   Petal apex.—Generally — The petal apices generally appear             entire at the tip.         -   Flower pedicel.—         -   Length.—Considered medium-long, and having an average length             of approximately 4.0 to about 5.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Considered average, approximately 3.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—A medium brown, (RHS Brown Group 200 D).         -   Floral nectaries.—         -   Color.—A dull orange, (RHS Greyed-Orange Group N172 A).         -   Calyx.—         -   Surface texture.—Generally glabrous.         -   Color.—A dull red, (approximately RHS Greyed-Purple Group             N186 C).         -   Sepals.—         -   Surface texture.—The surface has a short, fine pubescent             texture.         -   Size.—Average, and ovate in form.         -   Color.—A dull red, (approximately RHS Greyed-Purple Group             183 B).         -   Anthers.—         -   Generally.—Average in length.         -   Color.—Red to reddish-purple dorsally, (approximately RHS             Greyed-Purple Group 187 B).         -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow             color, (approximately RHS Yellow-Orange Group 17 B).         -   Fertility.—No pollinator required.         -   Filaments.—         -   Size.—Length is variable, approximately 14.0 to about 16.0             millimeters long.         -   Color.—Considered light pink, (RHS Red Group 55 D).         -   Pistil.—         -   Number.—Usually 1, rarely 2.         -   Generally.—Average in size.         -   Length.—Approximately 15.0 to about 17.0 millimeters             including the ovary.         -   Color.—Considered a very pale green, (approximately RHS             Yellow-Green Group 145 C).         -   Surface texture.—The variety has a long pubescent pistil. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe condition (shipping             ripe).         -   Date of first picking.—Jul. 5, 2004. Date of last picking. —             Jul. 15, 2004. The date of harvest varies slightly with the             prevailing climatic conditions.         -   Size.—Generally — Considered large, and uniform.         -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 72.0 to about 78.0             millimeters.         -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 71.0 to about 74.0             millimeters.         -   Typical weight.—Approximately 271.0 grams. This             characteristic is highly dependent upon the prevailing             cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly             distinctive of the variety.         -   Fruit form.—Generally — Considered oblate. The fruit is             generally uniform in symmetry.         -   Fruit suture.—Very shallow and appearing almost             non-indented. The fruit suture extends from the base to the             apex. Slight grooving is typically observed toward the apex.             No apparent callousing or stitching exists along the suture             line.         -   Suture.—Color — Generally blushed to the same degree as the             skin, (approximately RHS Red Group 43 B).         -   Ventral surface.—Form — Only slightly indented.         -   Apex.—Rounded.         -   Base.—Generally retuse.         -   Stem cavity.—Generally rounded and uniform. Average depth of             the stem cavity is about 5.0 mm. Average width of the stem             cavity is about 15 mm.         -   Fruit skin.—         -   Thickness.—Considered medium in thickness, and tenacious to             the flesh.         -   Texture.—Short, fine and pubescent. The pubescence is             moderately abundant.         -   Taste.—Non-astringent.         -   Tendency to crack.—None observed.         -   Color.—         -   Blush color.—Generally speaking, a red blush exists on a             majority of the skin of the fruit (approximately RHS Red             Group 42 A), and is typically more present on the basal             portions of the fruit. The blush covers approximately 80-90%             of the fruit skin surface. The percentage of the blush on             the fruit skin surface can vary, and is generally dependant             upon the prevailing ecological and cultural conditions under             which the fruit was grown.         -   Ground color.—Yellow, (approximately RHS Yellow-Orange Group             19 B).         -   Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 6.0 to about 8.0             millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 2.0 to about 3.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—Pale yellow-green, (approximately RHS Yellow-Green             Group 144 B).         -   Flesh.—         -   Ripening.—Considered even.         -   Texture.—Firm, juicy and dense. Considered non-melting.         -   Fibers.—Few, small, and tender ones are found.         -   Aroma.—Very slight.         -   Eating quality.—Considered very good.         -   Flavor.—Considered sweet and mildly acidic. The flavor is             considered both pleasant and balanced.         -   Juice production.—Moderate.         -   Brix.—About 13.0 degrees. This characteristic varies             slightly with the number of fruit per tree; prevailing             cultural practices; and the surrounding climatic conditions.         -   Flesh color.—Pale yellow-orange, (approximately RHS             Yellow-Orange Group 20C). -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Clingstone.         -   Size.—Considered medium-large for the variety. The stone             size varies significantly depending on tree vigor, crop load             and growing conditions.         -   Length.—Average, about 28.0 to about 33.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Average, about 23.0 to about 27.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Average, about 16.0 to about 19.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Ovoid.         -   Base.—The stone is usually rounded and considered narrow or             slightly elongated relative to the general shape.         -   Apex.—Shape — The stone apex is slightly lobed and generally             without a prominent apical tip.         -   Stone surface.—         -   Surface texture.—Typically deep furrowing is observed across             the stone surface. Pitting is much less abundant, generally             speaking, as compared to the presence of furrowing which is             typically noted near the base.         -   Ridges.—The most prominent ridges are generally oriented             concentrically and perpendicular relative to the stone's             longitudinal axis, and are further near the apex of the             stone. Toward the base of the stone, the ridges are             generally oriented parallel relative to the stone axis.         -   Ventral edge.—Width — Considered medium, and having a             dimension of approximately 3.0 to about 4.0 millimeters when             measured at the mid-suture.         -   Dorsal edge.—Shape — Full, lightly grooved, and considered             reasonably prominent.         -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is generally             considered a reddish brown, (approximately Greyed-Red Group             RHS 178 A). This is variable however, and may be affected by             oxidation. In view of this variability, this characteristic             cannot be considered distinctive of the variety.         -   Tendency to split.—Splitting has rarely been noted.         -   Kernel.—         -   Size.—The kernel is considered medium-large.         -   Form.—Considered ovoid.         -   Pellicle.—Pubescent.         -   Color.—(RHS Greyed-Orange Group N167 B).         -   Use.—The subject variety ‘Burpeachtwentyone’ is considered             to be a peach tree of the late season maturity, and which             produces fruit which are considered firm, attractively             colored, and which are useful for both local and long             distance shipping.         -   Keeping quality.—Excellent. Fruit has stored well up to 25             days after harvest at 1.0 degree Celsius.         -   Shipping quality.—Good. The fruit of the new peach tree             variety showed minimal bruising of flesh or skin damage             after being subjected to normal harvest and packing             procedures.         -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular             susceptibilities were noted. The present variety has not             been tested to expose or detect any susceptibilities or             resistances to any known plant and/or fruit diseases.

Although the new variety of peach tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Fowler, Calif., in the Central part of the San Joaquin Valley of California, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are to be expected. 

1. A new distinct variety of peach tree, substantially as illustrated and described, and which is characterized principally as to novelty by producing an attractively colored yellow-fleshed, clingstone peach which is mature for harvesting approximately July 5 to July 15 under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of central California. 